Eva de Goede will join Hague-based HGC next season and plans to end her international career on her own terms following the 2022 Women’s World Cup.
Midfielder De Goede, 32, leaves Amsterdam after 11 years playing in The Hague.
De Goede, voted best player in the world in 2018 and 2019, hopes to lift the Olympic title this summer for the third time with Oranje women and is hopeful of playing in the upcoming EuroHockey after breaking her wrist in April.
She said: “I understand that this choice comes as quite a surprise to some people. I also have to let it sink in, now that the play-offs have just ended.
“But I have a very strong feeling that this is what I should do. I don’t see it as phasing out. I think this choice is good for my growth as a player and as a person.
“I can’t wait to fight for points again. To struggle and to plow every Sunday. Moreover, I see it as a challenge to add something to a team that has ended at the bottom in the past two seasons.
“In addition, HGC is a club with a lot of ambition and a great history [eight league titles since the introduction of the big league] that really appeals to me.”
De Goede was expected to retire from international duty after last summer’s World Cup but now plans to bow out when Holland co-hosts the women’s World Cup in Amsterdam.
“In a full stadium is where I want to say goodbye,” she added.
She is currently on 235 caps and is likely to go into second behind Minke Smeets (née Smabers) as the most capped Dutchwoman. Smeets finished on 312 caps.
HGC have made major signings already, having picked up Giselle Ansley and luring three British stars to the continent for next season.
